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First OTB tournament. Which openings to prepare against?

Forget your opening preparation. Train yourself about opening principles.

under 1500 (saying 1400 or 1600 as you want), most games are won with tactical moves. May be 99% of theses games have a decisive tactical opportunity. Be ready to get it and to avoid a blunder.
as black at that level i would 100 % play the french - i remember the opening that gave most people at that level years ago in scholastic chess was the french as white - majority of players dont know how to deal with the tension that if you know the french really well will give them - that being said focus on puzzles and tactics above all else at that level

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